At my age the actuarial odds suggest that I shall be ungone in the next twenty years. I’m 82 now.
But I cringe when I read or hear of something “ongoing”.
And I expect my cringing to continue until my demise.
I suspect the expression has its origins amongst descendants of Germans in the united States. But it sounds ugly to my ears.
English is of course of German origin and there may be some logic in it.
Just before the advent of mass tourism, the Catholic Church, in one of its less inspired moments, abolished the Latin Mass.
Every country was to have the liturgy in its own native (or Imperially imposed) tongue.
English speakers, brought up to adore the HOLY GHOST had to be guided by the ZEITGEIST and knee bow to the HOLY SPIRIT, whilst still believing in Papal Infallibility.
I came to work in London in November 1964 and I recall being advised that I’d “be Pied to die in ‘Anger Line.”
Sundie brought great relief – Mass in Latin.
Within weeks the liturgy was in English, often with “Folk”/ Volk? Masses with what was regarded of the avant garde music and lyrics of Cliff Richard.
And at Christmas the Adeste was replaced with a Comeallyeh, an innovation which still sticks in me Froat.
And at Christmas the Adeste was replaced with a Comeallyeh, an innovation which still sticks in me Froat.
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